Dancehall entertainer Munga Honorable, and his co-accused Sherdian Gordon are once again facing delays in their long-running legal battle. When the two appeared before the Home Circuit Court on Tuesday, May 27, their bail was extended to June 24, as the court was unable to set a trial date due to the unavailability of several key witnesses, among other reasons.
The case, which stems from the 2017 murder of Cleveland Smith — cousin of fellow dancehall artiste Mr. Vegas — has been plagued by repeated setbacks and mounting frustrations. Smith was fatally shot along Molynes Road in Kingston 20 after an alleged confrontation with a group of men at a dance in the Ackee Walk community of St. Andrew. He later died at the Kingston Public Hospital.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, the case has failed to move forward in a timely manner. Munga’s attorney, Christopher Townsend, previously criticised the prosecution for failing to provide full disclosure, including a key phone data report. He also warned that the extended timeline has made it increasingly difficult to locate witnesses essential to the defence. “After seven years, how can we now trust that the information still outstanding is even reliable?” he questioned in March.
Munga Honorable, whose given name is Damian Rhoden, known for hits such as Bad From Mi Born and Nah Mad, has continued to assert his innocence throughout the ordeal. With each passing year, however, the delays have not only impacted his personal life but also cast a long shadow over his music career. As the next court date approaches, both the artiste and his supporters are hoping for meaningful progress in a case that has now stretched into its eighth year.
